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Timber's task: being a better pro

During any given Portland Timbers match, you are likely to see coach Caleb Porter nearly frothing at the mouth when he sees the mistakes center back Andrew Jean-Baptiste is making. However, you are just as likely to see Porter brimming with pride when he catches glimpses of the second-year MLS players potential excellence.

Jean-Baptiste, 21, knocked in a match-winning header in stoppage time to lead the Timbers over Los Angeles. The 6-2, 205-pounder also committed a foul in the box against Columbus that led to the Crews winning penalty kick.

Ive beat him up enough, here and there, Porter says. I mean that in a positive way. I give him enough sugar and pats on the back to where he knows I like him. At the same time, at the right times, Ive given him jams just to make sure hes locked in and ready.

Jean-Baptiste takes Porters criticism and love the way the Timbers coach intends it.

Hes like my second dad, Jean-Baptiste says. He knows that Im capable of a lot of

things and anything less than perfection is a disappointment to him ... and me. He wants me to be better.

Porters reaction to the way Jean-Baptiste plays, however, is nothing compared to that of Jean-Baptistes mother.

I have to worry more about my mom than anything, Jean-Baptiste says.

Violette Smith grew up playing soccer in her native Haiti. She coached Jean-Baptistes youth travel club and calls him after Timbers matches. How quickly her son picks up the phone depends entirely on how well he played that night.

When I play well, I answer on the first two rings, he says. If I didnt play well, I let it ring for a while and make sure I get my story straight because I know shes probably going to rip me a new one.

In sixth grade, Jean-Baptiste made a friend who would change his life. Her name was Angelica Gonzalez. They instantly became best friends in Brooklyn, N.Y., then high school sweethearts. In January, Jean-Baptiste proposed to her.

According to Cosmopolitan Magazine, Gonzalez got quite the catch. In 2012, Cosmo named Jean-Baptiste to its list of Hot Soccer Players We Cant Resist, citing his humorous tweets.

I wasnt surprised at all, he says, smiling. Im just surprised it took them that long to figure it out.

There wasnt much for him to laugh about during his rookie season of 2012, when he was loaned to the lower-level L.A. Blues for five weeks. He calls the experience humbling and says it made him realize how fortunate he was to have been playing at the countrys highest level.

He returned in time to play in five Timbers games, starting four and scoring one goal, then came into this season determined to be a better pro. He has been a mainstay, with 16 starts in 20 matches played, one goal and one assist. And he wants to get better.

If you get better at the little things and you get better at the things youre good at, he says, youre only going to become a better player.